Universal to adapt Matt Mason astro toys into Tom Hanks film

Universal will develop Major Matt Mason, a live-action sci-fi feature film based on the vintage Mattel astronaut action figure line, Variety reported.

The movie will be developed as a star vehicle for Tom Hanks, and Graham Yost will write the script. Playtone partners Hanks and Gary Goetzman will produce.

The toy line originated in 1966; Mason led an astronaut team that worked on the moon and lived in a space station. The toy was a hit in the buildup to the first manned moon mission. Mattel retired the line in the 1970s.

When Mattel executives Tim Kilpin and Barry Waldo came to Playtone for a meeting, they brought an arsenal of the Matt Mason figures. Hanks came armed with his own.